By Lexx Thornton
A free vending machine stocked full of groceries, including fresh produce and eggs, has been launched in the Bronx, New York City, the first of its kind made to serve the general public.Â
The NGO Change Food For Good set up the vending machine in October in the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club youth center in Castle Hill.Â
The initiative takes a novel approach to addressing food insecurity amid rising grocery prices, and helps lower-income households access healthy, nutritious foods that might otherwise be out of reach.
The vending machine was set up by the New York-based nonprofit as part of its Good Food For All program, which aims to increase access to healthy food for individuals in need.Â
Change Food For Good founder Samia Lemfadli told Newsweek in a statement: “The Good Food for All free food vending machine has been really well received by community members and everyone’s been really excited to try out the machine.”Â
She said recipients have been most excited about the machine dispensing eggs without breaking them.Â
The machine will be restocked once or twice a month and includes a QR code users can use to request specific items, the NGO said.Â
